August 28th, 2011
With the end of August quickly approaching, it is time for me to decide what I do next. I made the goal to go macrobiotic for the month. I am on track to meet this goal (only three days remain). The question is, do I continue being macro after the month ends or do I try something new?
August: A Synopsis
For the month of August, I gave up alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, processed foods, added sugar, dairy and eggs. Basically I decided to follow a vegan Macrobiotic diet. The reasoning behind this choice was two-fold: I wanted to rid myself of my addictive (tobacco and caffeine) and destructive (alcohol to excess and tobacco) vices, and I wanted to see if I could rid myself of my constipation and cramping by excluding dairy and eggs from my diet.
By far the hardest thing to give up was the caffeine. I had caffeine migraines for a week and a half after I drank my last diet soda. I didn’t have much nicotine withdrawal (or at least not that I could separate from the effects of the caffeine withdrawal) and giving up alcohol was easy (see yesterday’s post for more details).
The stomach cramps were less frequent (noticed only after eating too quickly or consuming beans). The constipation was nearly eliminated (the first day of some of the rice fasts I experienced some constipation but it was alleviated the next day).
Overall, the diet was a success. But as I am still experiencing some symptoms, more research is needed into alternative diets.
The Plan
I will continue on the macrobiotic diet for the next week, during which I will do more research about other dietary choices. This week will include a series of blogs about my findings for the different diets including a Clean Detox, Low Fat Raw Vegan, and Paleo as well as a comparison of the choices.
Today’s Food
1 am snack: Organic peach, organic carrots and roasted red pepper hummus from Bloomingfoods
Breakfast: 2 organic apples (soooo sweet) and a pint of organic strawberries from Bloomingfoods
The awesome Vegan Hash at Feast in Bloomington
Lunch: Vegan hash at Feast in Bloomington–consisted of potatoes, peppers, tempeh, spinach and grape tomatoes along with oiled bread
Snack: 1 oz raw almonds
Dinner: Amy’s Black Bean Tamale Verde
Yellow squash with spicy brown mustard
1/2 oz raw walnuts
Feelings to note
Felt great all day. No stomach problems to speak of. I was also in a pretty good mood.
Exercise
None